Developing the Leaders of Tomorrow
Marines introduced local at-risk students to decision making and leadership skills during the Marine Week Cleveland Leadership Academy conference. The week long leadership academy included field trips, lectures and a visit by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James F. Amos, who encouraged the students to have a vision of what they want to do in life.
http://www.marines.com/history-heritage
http://www.marines.com/global-impact/community-impact Quote from this website…
“Marines inspire through exemplary conduct at home and abroad. In their local communities, whether it is motivating young students or challenging others to accomplish their goals, Marines make a positive impact on the lives of others. They are committed to helping their friends, family and neighborhoods grow stronger.”
It was common in my generation not to speak of WWII or the Korean War. Our parents came home from war and were told to “forget about it” and move on… As a consequence, the legacy of our post WWII generation of boomers is a well kept secret. Our grand kids everywhere are now demanding that we share our legacy. Often we, as demonstrated by my own research and non-fiction story, wait until later in life to share this legacy. Our grand kids go to school and study war and life after war. The new generation of youngsters know at a minimum that their parents never talked about the war and post WWII life as a family. They want to know more.
While visiting my old pal Dennis Simpson in Phoenix, Arizona during our long road trip this last year, I signed my book, Reconciliation: A Son’s Story http://www.amazon.com/Steve-Sparks/e/B0070CJDCM/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0, to honor our long friendship. Dennis became motivated to find out more about his own father, Maurice Chapman Simpson Jr., who served in the Marine Corps during WWII and the Korean War. It so happens that Sam, the grandson of Dennis and Judi Simpson, loves the Marine Corps and is very patriotic as a teenager. Sam’s goal is to make the Marine Corp his career as soon as he can… You can imagine how exciting it was for Sam to begin learning more about his own Great Grandfather, Maurice, a hero from the “Greatest Generation” of Marines Corp veterans who served America in the Pacific Asiatic Theater during WWII and the Korean War. You can also bet that his grandpa Dennis feels very good about sharing his family’s WWII legacy… I am honored to share the story of Sgt. Major Maurice Chapman Simpson Jr.
My dad never suffered from PTSD and my youthful years with my dad were memorable particularly after he returned from Korea. Prior to that I really never had much of a relationship with my dad and was not really aware of his military service until I was able to get some of his military service records.”
Dennis
The above story is an example of the treasure trove of WWII legacy still out there for all Americans to honor and appreciate. The story also shows how important this legacy is to future generations. It is our duty as grand parents to now go back and start talking about WWII and Korean War so that we preserve this painful but also cherished legacy. Our grand kids want to know and must know more about America’s “Greatest Generation” of heroes and how their own family legacy contributed to protecting the freedoms we enjoy today and forever…
Steve Sparks
Author
Reconciliation: A Son’s Story
